‘Hawks Okung stands between Aldon Smith and more sacks

Of Aldon Smith’s 35 career sacks since 2011, only two have come against the Seattle Seahawks, who’ve shut out the 49ers’ sack artist in two of his four career meetings.

One major obstacle between Smith and quarterback Russell Wilson this Sunday night will again be Russell Okung.

“He’s probably the best left tackle – one of the best left tackles that we’ve gone against since we’ve been here,” said Vic Fangio, the 49ers’ third-year defensive coordinator. “He’s big, strong, athletic.”

Okung, a fourth-year left tackle, made his first Pro Bowl last season. Drafted sixth overall in 2010 out of OklahomaState, Okung has proven a capable successor to Walter Jones, who played 13 seasons as the Seahawks left tackle and became a first-year-eligible nominee this week for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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“He’s a very high number one pick and you can see why. I think he’s performed up to his expectations,” Fangio said. “He’s an excellent tackle. He does give us some problems.”

Smith sacked Wilson on the Seahakws’ final drive last October, when the 49ers pulled out a 13-6 win at CandlestickPark. As a rookie, Smith’s 14th and final regular-season sack came at Seattle.

Smith had 1 ½ sacks in Sunday’s season-opening win over the Green Bay Packers, and his 35 since 2011 are tied for the most in the NFL with Minnesota’s Jared Allen.

Wilson gets sacked, on average, about twice per game. He got sacked 33 times in his rookie season, then twice in the Seahawks’ win at Carolina on Sunday.

Cam Inman

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Aldon and Brooks are key. I think we can hold the edge and fill gaps against Seattle’s running attack. Their receivers are only average, so that leaves Russell Wilson. If he can avoid the rush our secondary is vulnerable. If we can get on him it could be a shutout.